Along with a number of key returners, the addition of a strong group of juniors has Head Varsity Coach Sarah Tamagni excited and confident about the 2012 season. This is Tamagni’s sixth season as head coach.

The Gridley High School’s Girls Volleyball team finished the 2011 season with an overall record of twelve wins and nineteen losses with a league record of 4-4.

Maddie Mardesich, Catherine Roman and Ashtyn Macfarlane, all seniors, will serve as the team’s captains.

Coming off a 3-1 loss at Hamilton (1-0), Tamagni remained confident in her team while heading to Marysville last Wednesday.

“The girls have been working hard. I told them that the only thing I wanted from them this game was to play 100%. Win or lose, I wanted them to play their hardest. When you go in with that mindset and play your heart out, the outcome doesn’t matter.”

At the end of the day, however, that mindset paid off as the Lady Bulldogs brought in their first win. The Lady Bulldogs came out on top of the Indians 25-21, 25-19 and 25-12.

Coach Tamagni was proud of the Lady Bulldogs for their resilience.

“A few times we were behind Marysville or tied… [but] they kept playing even when the game got tight.”

Ashtyn Macfarlane led the team with nine kills and three aces. Junior Megan Anthony added eight kills of her own, as well as six digs and three aces. Senior Jackie Blancett followed with six kills at the net. Maddie Mardesich had thirteen assists, with Junior Vanessa Ramirez following her with eleven. Senior Claira Hunter and Senior Catherine Roman played great games defensively. Hunter had seven digs while Roman had six. Hunter was also 14/17 on serve receive.

On the next night, the Lady Bulldogs visited the hosting River Valley Lady Falcons. For the rest of this story, please pick up a 9/5/12 edition of The Gridley Herald.